Russian language: Total dictation launched in Novosibirsk

A total Russian language dictation, which brought together over 2500 people, kicked off in Novosibirsk.

The dictation was organized in 17 sites of the city, among them were major universities of Novosibirsk, city’s lyceums, gymnasiums, the regional scientific library, the Novosibirsk oblast Administration and even a bookstore.

The text for the dictation aimed specially for Siberians was written by the science-fiction writer Boris Strugatsky. And though the writer remarked that “he didn’t like when people dictate nor when he dictated himself”, he responded to the request of the dictation’s organizers – to support an education action and prepared a small text “Thoughts about language”.

Total dictations, initiated by the Glum-club of the Faculty of Humanities of the Novosibirsk State University, have been taking place since 2004. This year the Novosibirsk regional foundation for preservation and development of Russian language “Native word”, the regional scientific library and the Ministry of Culture of the Novosibirsk oblast Administration imparted the dictation “national” status.